Student Teacher 39 | - ✏ Freelance Writer
23 hr | #1
Columbia Business School Optional Essay
Is there any further information that you wish to provide to the Admissions Committee? (Please use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history.)
Though I have transcended previous obstacles to my academic progress, I did experience a situation during my undergraduate career in which a family emergency directly affected my performance. Whilst pursuing my BA in International Relations at the University of Southern California, my family experienced a collective crisis when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. While my family banded together admirably, my father's business precluded him from being home to take care of her as much as she needed him to be.
In my father's absence and being the oldest child, I admittedly elected to care for my mother during her chemotherapy. Though I had been unsure how detrimental my family situation would be to my academic success, I did know that being home caring for a sick parent, taking her to and from treatments, and appeasing the worries of my siblings would take an immense emotional toll on me; I was correct.
During the months that spanned between my mother's diagnosis and her recovery, I was completely consumed by her healthcare. Almost immediately, my grades began to drop due to poor attendance and plan forgetfulness. The total overhaul of my world that happened at that time catalyzed a personal reprioritization for me, and I was no longer the dedicated student; I was the dedicated son.
Had she not recovered as quickly as she did, I am not sure that I would have graduated on time. As it was, she was in remission after several months of aggressive treatment and I was able to get my life back on the proverbial track. While her illness thoroughly derailed my studies for a time, I am certain that I would not hold the ability to now somewhat effectively balance personal challenge with academic performance. In truth, I cannot say that I regret the way that events unfolded, as I would undoubtedly elect to care for my mother again should the need arise, but I do regret my ill-preparedness for the profound way in which the experience would affect my ability to function as a student.
My graduate-level performance has demonstrated that I can, indeed, excel academically in the absence of urgent, time-consuming personal crises. However, the experience had during my time at the University of Southern California alerted me the proper channels that need to be taken in order to avert academic downfall in the aftermath of a burdensome, personal challenge. I now know that professors need to be made cognizant of the issue immediately and, if need be, course withdrawal actions should be pursued in a timely manner.
In short, while my mother is in excellent health and I do not foresee a similar crisis in the future, I know that I have the experience to handle such a situation in the future. Again, while I do not regret taking care of my mother when she needed me, I do regret not handling the situation well with respect to my coursework. It was indeed a learning experience, in itself, for me; I can now clearly perceive avenues that need to be pursued should a similarly challenging obstacle arise in the future.
Is there any further information that you wish to provide to the Admissions Committee? (Please use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history.)
Though I have transcended previous obstacles to my academic progress, I did experience a situation during my undergraduate career in which a family emergency directly affected my performance. Whilst pursuing my BA in International Relations at the University of Southern California, my family experienced a collective crisis when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. While my family banded together admirably, my father's business precluded him from being home to take care of her as much as she needed him to be.In my father's absence and being the oldest child, I admittedly elected to care for my mother during her chemotherapy. Though I had been unsure how detrimental my family situation would be to my academic success, I did know that being home caring for a sick parent, taking her to and from treatments, and appeasing the worries of my siblings would take an immense emotional toll on me; I was correct.
During the months that spanned between my mother's diagnosis and her recovery, I was completely consumed by her healthcare. Almost immediately, my grades began to drop due to poor attendance and plan forgetfulness. The total overhaul of my world that happened at that time catalyzed a personal reprioritization for me, and I was no longer the dedicated student; I was the dedicated son.
Had she not recovered as quickly as she did, I am not sure that I would have graduated on time. As it was, she was in remission after several months of aggressive treatment and I was able to get my life back on the proverbial track. While her illness thoroughly derailed my studies for a time, I am certain that I would not hold the ability to now somewhat effectively balance personal challenge with academic performance. In truth, I cannot say that I regret the way that events unfolded, as I would undoubtedly elect to care for my mother again should the need arise, but I do regret my ill-preparedness for the profound way in which the experience would affect my ability to function as a student.
My graduate-level performance has demonstrated that I can, indeed, excel academically in the absence of urgent, time-consuming personal crises. However, the experience had during my time at the University of Southern California alerted me the proper channels that need to be taken in order to avert academic downfall in the aftermath of a burdensome, personal challenge. I now know that professors need to be made cognizant of the issue immediately and, if need be, course withdrawal actions should be pursued in a timely manner.
In short, while my mother is in excellent health and I do not foresee a similar crisis in the future, I know that I have the experience to handle such a situation in the future. Again, while I do not regret taking care of my mother when she needed me, I do regret not handling the situation well with respect to my coursework. It was indeed a learning experience, in itself, for me; I can now clearly perceive avenues that need to be pursued should a similarly challenging obstacle arise in the future.